Population - 600,000    (1,067,000)

Area - 7,645 km²   (1,663)

Population density - 78   (642)

(comparative figs - Surrey UK)

Towns with over 3,000 people

Anglet   35,263

Artix   3,122

Ascain   3,097

Bayonne   40,078

Biarritz   30,055

Bidart   4,670

Billiere   13,398

Bizanos   4,673

Boucau   7,007

Cambo-les-Bains   4,416

Ciboure   6,283

Gan   4,971

Gelos   3,666

Hasparren   5,477

Hendaye   12,596

Idron-Ousse-Sendets   5,154

Jurancon   7,378

Lescar   8,191

Lons   11,154

Mauleon-Licharre   3,347

Monein   4,183

Morlaas   3,658
Mouguerre   3,765

Mourenx   7,576

Nay   3,204

Oloron-Sainte-Marie   10,992

Orthez   10,121

Pau   78,732

Saint-Jean-de-Luz   13,247

Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle   4,331

Saint-Pierre-d'Irube   3,873

Salles-de-Bearn   4,759

Serres-Castet   3,040

Urrugne   7,043

Ustaritz   4,984

Main town
Pau

665 miles - 11 hours - from Calais

What it is really like for holidays in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques

This is really two areas -

The Pays Basque and Bearn

The Basque country

French Basque country - is a comfortable integrated part of France

Centred around Bayonne Biarritz and the pyrenean foothills the Pays Basque looks and sounds different other areas

The houses are chalet style with brightly painted woodwork and the signs are in French and in Basque

The people are proud of being Basque and proud of being French - their rugby is pretty good too

The beaches are glorious - as are the restaurants - and the cafes

The countryside around is really pretty mountain foothills

Bearn

As you move across towards Bearn and the regional capital Pau so it is more Pyrenean - more gentle rolling rural foothills

Here you have a strong English influence - French rugby started in Pau.

Pau is a relaxed friendly elegant city with national parks and very pretty villages all around

Must visit places

Bayonne

Old streets - fortifications - Basque museum

Biarritz

Fashionable - dated - seaside resort with casino

St-Jean-de-Luz

The gentler quieter Basque country seaside - big enough - small enough

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Up in the hills with brightly coloured Basque houses an ancient city with citadel

Pau

Some say not spectacular - but with old narrow streets and 90 kilometre views to the highest peaks of the Pyrenees - and a quiet laid back elegant style - if you are nearby - call in at Pau

Pyrenees-Atlantiques Holidays - b&b
Pyres-Atlantiques Holidays - cottages

Pyres-Atlantiques Holidays - tourist info